Thursday, June 25, 2015

Benny Sharoni: Slant Signature

I
did my first review of tenor saxman Benny Sharoni about five years ago; he had just released
his first album, Eternal Elixir. I
was impressed. But then, no sign of him until now, when spring brought this
album.

He’s
even better now.

Sharoni
was born in Israeli and raised in a kibbutz near the Gaza strip. He served the
mandatory three-year stint in the Israeli army; during that period, he fell in
love with jazz. (Sonny Rollins was a major influence.) After his military
service, he enrolled in the Berklee College of Music, and chose the life of a
professional musician.

Both
albums have featured a sextet, although two pianists switched that chair in the
first release. Four of the artists who supported him on Elixir — pianist Joe Barbato, guitarist Mike Mele, bassist Todd
Baker and drummer Steve Lagone —also are present in on this new release.
They’re joined by Jim Rotondi on trumpet.

This
group plays bop, although in several styles: straight-ahead, Latin, New Orleans
strut and blues. Through it all, you’ll also detect a
hint of his homeland. Most important: Everything swings. Sharoni demonstrates
Rollins’ influence, but without being a copycat.

Five
of the eight tracks are Sharoni originals. The three jazz standards are by Lee
Morgan (“Ceora”), Freddie Hubbard (“Down Under”) and Ray Bryant (“Tonk”).